UTEP breaks enrollment record

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14) — University of Texas at El Paso is breaking enrollment records with an additional 1,000 students on campus this school year.

“That's a significant mark from last year,” Gary Edens, vice president of Student Affairs at UTEP, said.

This year, UTEP is counting a total of 25,078 students on campus. Which Edens said isn't common across the country according.

“Within many universities across the country they're seeing a drop in enrollment, that's sort of a national trend,” Edens said.

Diana Moreno, a freshman, is one of the students helping break the university’s enrollment records.

“I feel like they have really good research opportunities,” Moreno said.

The El Pasoan said it's important for her to stay close to home.

“I've heard a lot about the concept of the brain drain and how people get their education, are born and raised here and then they just leave and move out of El Paso and don't contribute to this community,” Moreno said.

Edens said they focus recruitment to the West Texas region for a reason.

“We focus on El Paso because we know there's a need there,” Edens said. “We need to increase the educational attainment for all our citizens in El Paso.”

For Moreno helping her hometown is what it's all about.

“I love El Paso, and I like to give whatever I can contribute as a student to the university as well,” Moreno said.